Chapter 16

Chapter 15: The Old Hands of the Tower (2)

The sound of ice clinking in the coffee cups accompanied the introductions.

The bald man's real name was Lee Taemin.

He was a student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Korea University.

'What, really? He played so much game in high school and still got into Korea University?'

A place that even those who studied 10 hours a day found hard to get into?

This guy is really something.

In many ways.

'Shall I see what kind of ability the smart engineering student has?'

Jinhyuk clicked his tongue and activated his 'Eye of Truth.'

——————————————————

Name: Lee Taemin

Gender: Male

Age: 23

Level: 11

Strength 13 Agility 15 Vitality 16 Magic 21

Available Stat Points: 0

Available Coins: 2,500

Occupation: None

Unique Ability: Machine Lord (機械君主)

Skills: Lv2 'Sandbox Mode', Lv2 'Command', Lv2 'Hacking'

——————————————————

'So, he got this one.'

Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed.

Machine Lord.

A unique ability specialized for fighting armies rather than individuals.

In the past, in the Tower of Trials, the bald man, or rather, Lee Taemin, used this to enjoy large-scale hunts.

A well-balanced type, strong in both offense and defense.

An ability with no flaws except for its high magic consumption.

Then, the next one...

Jinhyuk's gaze shifted to the side.

He saw the face of the woman who had been active as 'Bulgwangdong Nuclear Fist.'

Her real name was Yoo Yeon-hwa.

At first, he didn't know which family she belonged to.

But as the introductions continued, he finally understood who she was.

Yoo Cheonyeong.

A living legend in the martial arts world who had amazed the world with her perfectly practicalized Taekwondo.

Yoo Yeon-hwa was the granddaughter of that genius.

'And a granddaughter who is as precious as the apple of her eye.'

In the Tower of Trials, she had taken down giants over 7 meters tall with her bare hands.

Seeing her now, it made perfect sense.

Her veins flowed with the same blood as Yoo Cheonyeong.

Jinhyuk activated his 'Eye of Truth' once more.

——————————————————

Name: Yoo Yeon-hwa

Gender: Female

Age: 25

Level: 12

Strength 25 Agility 22 Vitality 17 Magic 5

Available Stat Points: 0

Available Coins: 4,775

Occupation: None

Unique Ability: Extreme Taekwondo (劇震跆拳道)

Skills: Lv3 'Taechung Hwarang Shimbeop (太淸花郞心法)', Lv2 'No Retreat in Battle (臨戰無退)', Lv2 'Magic Enhancement'

——————————————————

'This one is also quite interesting.'

A close-range tank and dealer.

A unique ability and skill set that lives up to her nickname, 'Bulgwangdong Nuclear Fist.'

Given their similar levels, they must have hunted together.

Indeed, they had good chemistry even back then.

[Copy Condition: These two have been comrades for a long time. When the three reach the 20th floor of the tower, you can copy the abilities of players Lee Taemin and Yoo Yeon-hwa.]

Jinhyuk nodded after reading the copy condition.

So, the abilities of these seasoned players can't be easily copied.

'This will be tough for a while.'

But it doesn't matter.

After all, these three will reach the 20th floor one way or another.

Just then,

"Bro. What are you doing? It's your turn."

Lee Taemin, sitting in front, tilted his head.

Not knowing about the 'Eye of Truth,' he found Jinhyuk nodding while looking at the air strange.

"I'm Jinhyuk. I'm 27 and I used to be a BJ on PaprikaTV."

"Wow! You were a BJ? I've seen Paprika sometimes! Gaming? Food broadcasts? Ah, you're handsome, so maybe you were a male cam?"

Lee Taemin smiled and approached.

Even though they had only met in-game, this was their first time meeting in person.

However, there was no sense of wariness.

"Yes, but I quit now."

"Come on, bro. We're not strangers. We've known each other for a while in the game."

"Right. It's more comfortable this way."

Yoo Yeon-hwa also chimed in.

Both had exceptional charisma.

'I thought my charisma was top-notch from my BJ days.'

Or maybe, I've been too guarded because I've only been around people who kept trying to stab me in the back.

A month of weighing the pros and cons and mercilessly stabbing people in the neck when needed.

I took it for granted, so this sense of familiarity feels awkward.

'Comrades... It's been a long time since I heard that word.'

Jinhyuk chuckled and nodded.

"Got it. I'll speak more casually."

***

As the awkwardness faded, the three moved to a new spot.

This was Jinhyuk's proactive suggestion.

The fragrant coffee wasn't bad, but...

How do I put it?

There were many more things he wanted to eat.

They found a famous restaurant known for its pork belly and doenjang stew.

Seeing the thick, well-cooked meat and the stew filled with tofu made him almost cry.

'This is a whole different level from mushrooms and moss.'

In novels,

There are often scenes where returnees who have been in another world for hundreds or thousands of years cry while eating Korean food.

But in reality, it doesn't take that long.

Just a month in the countryside, eating only grass, and a single chocolate pie can make a person sell their soul.

Suddenly, he thought of his training days.

The Sunday memories of changing religions based on whether it was a chocolate pie or a Montshwi.

Ah! Speaking of which...

There was another thing he wanted to eat.

"Below is Vera. How about getting ice cream for dessert?"

"Ice cream call!"

"Bro and sis, stay here. I'll get it. What flavor?"

Lee Taemin got up halfway from his seat.

"Mint chocolate."

Jinhyuk answered without hesitation.

The two of them frowned.

"Ugh, that toothpaste-flavored ice cream?"

"Bro, that one is really polarizing. It feels like you're brushing your teeth while eating it."

These guys...

Not knowing the perfect combination of fresh mint and sweet chocolate.

I can't let this slide.

"Never insult mint chocolate again."

Because mint chocolate has a solid foundation of support.

***

While eating, Jinhyuk heard about the events of the past month from the two.

The formation of various guilds and the interests surrounding the tower's resources.

Trends in policies and coins in different countries, and so on.

All important information that couldn't be overlooked.

"Bro, as you might know, most of the guilds that played [Tower of Trials] have reformed."

Lee Taemin moved his fingers lightly.

Then,

Rumble!

[Lee Taemin activates Lv2 'Sandbox Mode.']

Seven symbols appeared in the air.

All familiar ones.

America's 'Titan,' Europe's 'Olympus,' China's 'Zhonghua,' Japan's 'Samurai,' and India's 'Gandhara.'

Finally, Korea's 'Dangun' and 'Saulabe.'

Symbols of the guilds that represented the world.

Yoo Yeon-hwa also nodded slightly at the symbols.

"Everyone knows that it's advantageous for existing members to monopolize information."

Of course. At the very least, the players in these guilds weren't fools.

They wouldn't randomly add new members or share their advanced information.

"What about the BJs? Some of them are probably gathering coins while working independently?"

At Jinhyuk's question, Lee Taemin's face darkened slightly.

"Yes. Mainly, famous people are using their names to get views from viewers. Moreover, this is just a rumor, but there are people trying to restart the coin factories we had back then. They're called 'Mine.' It's a big deal in the news these days."

"......They're out of their minds."

"Right. If caught, it's a life sentence."

Coin factory.

A workshop that forces people to watch specific videos to generate views.

In the past, in the game, NPCs played this role, so it was fine.

But not now.

If they lock people in factories and keep extracting coins, the government won't sit idly by.

However, Jinhyuk was sure that this rumor wasn't entirely false.

The world has changed.

The common knowledge we knew has collapsed.

It means we can't judge the future by the standards of the past.

In that sense, I need to warn them.

They need to know about that guy.

"If you two stick together, the chances of encountering him are low, but I'll tell you anyway."

Jinhyuk slowly spoke.

"About a month ago, I met a swordsman."

"Whoa!?"

"That leech?"

This time, both of them answered simultaneously.

Hey, speak more calmly.

The other customers in the restaurant are looking at us.

But they continued their barrage of questions as if they didn't care.

"Where, where?"

"Bro, does he pull out his sword right away in real life too?"

Swordmaster (劍成).

A ranker who uses such relentless sword skills that he even uses barriers.

We often met him in [Tower of Trials].

He would attack without any conversation, just charging in.

Of course, I always suppressed him, brutally enough to make him never dare to challenge again.

I must have killed him over a hundred times.

A normal person would have given up.

The problem was whether this guy had a goal or a rivalry...

He was obsessed with following us, driven by some strange delusion.

'Actually, he was following me.'

He even targeted me when I was eating, sleeping, or using the bathroom, so it's natural to be scared.

"I didn't see his face. When I went, he had already taken the 'iron sword inscribed with Qianlong (乾隆)' from the National Central Museum and disappeared."

"That guy was after the replica... Wait, so you went there? They say it was a complete hellhole?"

"Bro, you really have a strong heart. How did you even think of going there?"

"I had something to take care of. Anyway, be careful. He might not recognize you by appearance, but he'll know you by your unique abilities and skills."

That's why bringing past abilities is a double-edged sword.

While it's familiar, it also serves as a fingerprint for the player.

"Got it. Thanks for letting us know."

"Phew. We need to be careful. I'm honestly a bit scared..."

Lee Taemin and Yoo Yeon-hwa let out small sighs.

It seems the terrifying memories of the past were resurfacing.

For now, it seems the information exchange is complete,

"Shall we call it a day and get up?"

Jinhyuk pushed his chair back.

Every minute and second counts.

Eating and drinking are enough for now.

"Already?"

"It's not 'already,' it's 9 PM."

We need to start climbing the tower again from tomorrow.

Moreover, I want to take a hot bath and sleep in a proper bed after a month.

The two reluctantly got up.

"Bro, but you said you were gone for a month, right?"

"That's right."

"Then, you didn't take the test, did you?"

"Test...?"

What test?

Jinhyuk's reaction made the two of them nod as if they expected it.

"From the second floor, the number of deaths increased sharply, so the Awakened Association only allows those who pass the test to go up."

"They give an authentication code... It's like this."

Yoo Yeon-hwa showed her wrist.

A barcode-like tattoo was faintly visible.

Oh, I see.

So, they want to prevent random people from entering. That's the idea, right?

By putting up such a pretext, they can certainly reduce the resistance to taking the test.

To reduce the number of casualties.

What could be a nobler goal?

But the real purpose from above is different.

The reason for the test is one.

To identify hidden experts.

'Precisely, to bring those experts to their side.'

Suddenly, he remembered the day the Tower of Trials first appeared.

'Was it Han Sangjin? The name of the man who introduced himself as the president of the Awakened Association?'

His cheap trick of trying to gather awakened players through TV was unforgettable.

"Where is the place for the test?"

This is a good opportunity to see how much I've grown.

No.

'Rather, it's what I've been hoping for.'

Thump! Thump!

Jinhyuk's heart began to beat faster.

The system created by the Awakened Association.

There was a way to use it to my advantage.

'In a way that benefits me.'